davieG Posted 7 June 2013 Posted 7 June 2013 The number of people in the UK who will get cancer during their lifetime will increase to nearly half the population by 2020, a report has forecast. Macmillan Cancer Support said the projected figure of 47% would put huge pressure on the NHS. Yet those who do develop cancer will be less likely to die from the disease, the charity predicted. The Department of Health wants the NHS to save an extra 5,000 lives a year among cancer patients by 2014-15. In 1992, the proportion of people in the UK who got cancer during their life was 32%. This increased to 44% in 2010, an increase of more than a third. Macmillan said this figure would continue rising over the next decade, levelling off at around 47% between 2020 and 2030. The charity said this was likely to be an underestimate of the true risk facing people alive in 2020, as life expectancy increased and more people developed cancer. To produce their figures, Macmillan used data on cancer incidence, cancer mortality and deaths from all causes from across the UK. The charity also found that many more people were surviving cancer compared to 20 years ago. In 1992, 45,000 people, or 21% of those who had cancer, did not die from the disease. This increased to around 90,000 (35%) in 2010 and was predicted to rise to four in 10 people (38%) surviving cancer and dying from another cause by 2020. Other causes of death are most commonly heart disease, respiratory disease or stroke. Gruelling treatments Macmillan puts the increased survival rates from cancer down to a greater focus on early diagnosis, advances in cancer treatments and better cancer care. Continue reading the main story Cancer risk factors There are many factors that influence an individual's risk of developing cancer Some factors cannot be controlled, such as age and family history But risk factors related to lifestyle can be controlled - such as giving up smoking, keeping physically active and maintaining a healthy weight Around one in four cancers diagnosed in the UK could be avoided if people made changes to their lifestyles Macmillan Cancer Support The growth in the number of people getting cancer is explained by the fact that people are living longer, because as the population ages the incidence of cancer rises. Although the charity said the survival trend was "encouraging", it said there was growing evidence that many cancer patients did not return to full health after gruelling treatments and the serious side effects of the disease. Prof Jane Maher, chief medical officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "Many patients can be left with physical health and emotional problems long after treatment has ended. "People struggle with fatigue, pain, immobility, or an array of other troublesome side-effects. "We need to manage these consequences for the sake of the patient, but also for the sake of the taxpayer. We should plan to have more services to help people stay well at home, rather than waiting until they need hospital treatment." Ciaran Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said the predicted cancer incidence figures posed "a herculean challenge for the NHS and for society". "The NHS will not be able to cope with the huge increase in demand for cancer services without a fundamental shift towards proper after-care, without more care delivered in the community, and without engaging cancer patients on their own health." Sean Duffy, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, said the NHS had been set the challenge of saving an additional 5,000 lives from the disease a year by 2014-15. "We also recognise that local NHS teams need to consider providing a new range of care services for cancer survivors to tackle their needs and improve their quality of life." He added: "Through our strategic clinical networks for cancer, we aim to share best practice and develop clinical pathways that help deliver better outcomes for patients." Cancer specialist Professor Greg Rubin, from the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: "This is welcome evidence that people are increasingly likely to survive cancer but a powerful reminder that survivors have complex needs that health services, particularly in primary care, will need to respond to."
Mike the Metal Ed Posted 8 June 2013 Posted 8 June 2013 Cancer is a big killer in my family, and I've had one great uncle already survive it. Treatments are getting better, but I know what my fate will probably be, and after all, something has to eventually finish us off, I just hope it's decades away.
davieG Posted 8 June 2013 Author Posted 8 June 2013 I've already lost a brother who was a year older than I am now so I've got an idea where my fate lies and as AoWW says it's scary..
The Year Of The Fox Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 Same as the two above with dad being bad. My mate 'predicted' this a few months back though. All its down too is people living longer and surviving other diseases that in the past they'd died from. And obviously something has to take you and there is no cause of death know as 'old age'
Rincewind Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 there is a 'Final Destination' for us all. I've had no relatves as far as I know apart from an Aunt who died from breast cancer a few years ago. She was in her early 40's. My Dad had bronchul and lung problems and smoked 60 fags a day. He was 48 when he went. A younger brother has to use an oxygen tank. From my recent check up all my organs are fine. My Mum is in her 80's and still gets about. My family are now all over 50 and that is a little scary.
Webbo Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 We've all got to die of something.In a way it's a good news story because it proves we're living to a much older age.
Bryn Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 Aye, cancer has a certain inevitability about it, if you live long enough eventually your DNA will succumb to it. The only thing you can do is be vigilant about it and enjoy your life while you can. Look after yourself and don't ignore symptoms.
Parafox Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 Testicular cancer and prostate cancer are two of the biggest killers of men in late middle age. Easy to check for and the earlier the better. That's why you see me walking round with a finger up my arse and a hand on my bolox.
davieG Posted 9 June 2013 Author Posted 9 June 2013 Testicular cancer and prostate cancer are two of the biggest killers of men in late middle age. Easy to check for and the earlier the better. That's why you see me walking round with a finger up my arse and a hand on my bolox. Unfortunately prostate cancer is hard to check, a finger up your arse will tell you very little other that it may be enlarge but that's not significant. The PSA test is unreliable the only sure way of finding out is to have a biopsy which is no walk in the park.
Rincewind Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 I had a nice present come through the door after my 60th. A self test kit for cancer. Had to send back a sample of my number 2. Of course it was sealed securely so was untouched by a posties hand. Got the all clear.
Parafox Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 Unfortunately prostate cancer is hard to check, a finger up your arse will tell you very little other that it may be enlarge but that's not significant. The PSA test is unreliable the only sure way of finding out is to have a biopsy which is no walk in the park. I was being glib. I guess my dark humour passed you by.
Webbo Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 Unfortunately prostate cancer is hard to check, a finger up your arse will tell you very little other that it may be enlarge but that's not significant. That's what my doctor did to me. What I can't understand is how come he had a hand on each shoulder.
Zingari Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 That's what my doctor did to me. What I can't understand is how come he had a hand on each shoulder. It takes years of training Webbo , just learn to trust your doctor ,
The Year Of The Fox Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 Can you go for screenings or regular check ups if it runs in your family?
Parafox Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 Can you go for screenings or regular check ups if it runs in your family? Some don't take any chances. They have their breasts cut off.
The Year Of The Fox Posted 9 June 2013 Posted 9 June 2013 Some don't take any chances. They have their breasts cut off. (serious question)
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